How Did You Get Started On The Accordion?
jona...@my-dejanews.com
story as to how they got hooked on
playing the instrument.
In my case, when I was about 6 years
old, there was a door-to-door
accordion salesperson from Milton
Mann Accordion Studios who came
to my front door and administered a
"musical talent" test. I was able to
play "oom-pah" with the left hand
buttons and I was pronounced a
prodigy. After one month of group
lessons I had progressed to the
point to where I needed the
"Symphony" accordion (I think it cost
about $4K) so that I could play in the
"Symphony" band. I quit Milton
Mann shortly afterwards, but I took
up private lessons with a teacher
who wasn't so greedy.
Well, that's my saga. What's yours?
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mir...@kiva.net
> Really-From: jona...@my-dejanews.com
>
> Everyone, I'm sure has an interesting
> story as to how they got hooked on
> playing the instrument.
> Well, that's my saga. What's yours?
>
though i am not playing the accordion and am instead playing my
(humble-but-loved) anglo concertina, my interest in "squeezeboxes (sorry
ralph! i *see* you cringing!;)began with an infatuation with the
accordion. i was in second grade at st. joseph's elementary and we were
honored with a visit from the local accordion dealer/teacher. he brought
in these BEAUTIFUL (in my child-eyes) accordions---all mother-of-pearl
and WHAT A SOUND!!
my musical inclinations to this point had been banging on an old cow
bone (a REAL one) in the classroom's collection of "percussion
instruments". the accordions dazzled me in contrast with that
(humble-but-loved) bovine bone;) this man actually gave those of us that
had starry-eyes an accordion to take home to convince our parents that
we could not live without it. however, my parents were in the
impossible-to-convince catagory. no matter how infatuated and tearilly i
tried to convince them of my NEED for the accordion they said "NO" (now
these folks were regular watchers of LW and polka parade so i dont
really know what their predjudices were. maybe the money.... (hey, i was
7 and didnt have to be concerned with that aspect of life.
so, life went on. the 60's brought me my first guitar...the 70's a
dulcimer i always related to my past yearning for the accordion...and i
would see them in thrift stores and think maybe i should pick one
up---just to satisfy that 7 year old in me, you understand. but,
accordions seemed like relics of an age that was past and rejected. i
was a representative of the "new" (better hahaha!!) age.
now, i am less concerned with being "cool" by external standards. the
weight of an accordion would wreck havoc with my jewelery-producing
damaged neck and shoulders. i am into less "flash" and glory than i was
at 7. mother-of-pearl is not my "thing" now. i have moved to the midwest
after most of my life on the west coast and there are more traditional
music played and respected here. i've developed an affection for celtic
music, as well as american traditional. i saw a concertina and---there
it was! the grown-up, current-to-me manifestation of that accordion i
saw in 1957!!!! i am certain that this is not the *only* type of
"squeezebox" (sorry ralph!) that i will have and attempt to play. it is
a good introduction to the mechanices of bellows and buttons--but i am
intrigued by other boxes and other styles.
k---that's my story (reader's digest would NEVER hire me as a writer for
their "condensed version" series!;)
jenny
bloomington, indiana
getting a grip on playing my (humble but loved) stagi anglo concertina
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Dan Lavry
>
> > Really-From: jona...@my-dejanews.com
> >
> > Everyone, I'm sure has an interesting
> > story as to how they got hooked on
> > playing the instrument.
At about 6 years old, I started piano lessons. Of course we had a piano at
home. I found out that we also had a small accordion, that no one was
using. It was an white HONER, stradella, with only 3 rows (bass major chord
and minor chord), probably around 30 buttons (???) and not too many right
hand piano like keys. No switches, no frills, somewhat mussete sounding,
not much of an instrument but - it was there!
As I was learning the piano, I figured I might as well try the right hand
on the accordion. Clearly, the first pieces were very easy, thus I learned
to find my way on the left -om pa style bass / chord. My next accordion, a
few years later was an 80 bass Paulo Soprani, "red hot" thing.... more bass
rows, thus bigger challenge, some switches (I can not recall all the
details), and here I am 47 years from when it began.....
Best Regards
Dan Lavry
B.B. Bean
>> > Really-From: jona...@my-dejanews.com
>> >
>> > Everyone, I'm sure has an interesting
>> > story as to how they got hooked on
>> > playing the instrument.
3 years ago I was playing rock & roll sax and blues harp with a local
redneck rock band. The music wasn't especially exciting, but the pay
was, and my more musically rewarding blues, jazz, and legit gigs
weren't exactly filling my calendar or my bank account.
The redneck band also had a pretty impressive list of references. I was
the only guy in the band who didn't have a police record, and was the
only member of the band on fairly steady financial ground (despite the
nice pay).
One day, the guitarist and bass player showed up at my office (never
give up your day gig) asking to borrow $500. It seems that the
guitarists's 18 yr old pregnant daughter needed to be admitted to the
hospital, but they wouldn't admit her until she paid her insurance
deductible ($500). While I had full sympathy, I never loan money to
band members (been there, done that), and suggested they check with
someone else. He swore he could repay me when he got his next paycheck,
but I stuck to my guns.
Then the guitar player offered a deal: If I'd loan him half the amount,
he'd leave the accordion his dead father gave his mother as collateral.
I offered my full sympathy, but suggested they contact another friend
of mine who actually operated a pawn shop.
3 hours later, they're back. The pawn shop wouldn't offer him a decent
price on the accordion, and won't I reconsider?
Well, paint me red and call me a strawberry sucker, I played the
accordion for a few minutes (I studied piano as a kid), ran it through
my amp and liked the sound, and told him I'd loan him $250, but the
accordion was mine if he didn't come back with the money in 2 weeks.
Surprise of surprises, I never saw that guitar player or my money
again, so I started shedding on the accordion with the idea of using it
as a portable organ for blues gigs. While my left hand leaves MUCH to
be desired, I'm now competent to play simple solos and chord
progressions, and have had a good time practicing klezmer tunes. I
don't think the accordion will ever become as entrenched in my
repertoire as sax and harp, but I don't think I'll be without one
either.
Playing the squeezebox also opened my eyes to a lot of genres I was
unaware or or only passingly aware of. When I was in Montreal recently,
I spent a delightful evening soaking up balkan tunes at the Cafe
Sarajevo, and enjoyed a familiarity with the music that I never would
have if I hadn't gotten suckered into loaning a guitarist money!
BBB
-
B.B. Bean - Have horn, will travel bbb...@beancotton.com
Peach Orchard, MO http://www.beancotton.com/bbbean.shtml
SoloA...@aol.com
I began taking accordion lessons in the 3rd grade. I wanted to play the
guitar, but my mother said it was too big, so she took me to an accordion
studio!!! Interesting line of thinking, to say the least, but I'm glad she
did. The accordion is one of the best instruments ever invented!
Marie
mir...@kiva.net
>
> Really-From: "B.B. Bean" <bbb...@beancotton.com>
> "B.B. Bean" <bbb...@beancotton.com>
>
> Then the guitar player offered a deal: If I'd loan him half the amount,
> he'd leave the accordion his dead father gave his mother as collateral.
!!!!!!! he left his wife his accordion as collateral for WHAT i
wonder!!!!!!!!!!!
sounds like you have some verrrrrrry interesting friends! hey, when i
get ready to write my fictional novel i want to come meet these
people...i'm SURE there is a STORY there!
especially intrigued about someone leaving their wife a collateral
accordian when he splits the final exit! <wink>
jenny
getting the hang of her (humble-but-loved) stagi anglo
Dan Richardson
but I'll horn in on this thread anyway.
I've played bass and percussion for 20 years, trombone for 30.
End of last summer I was on vacation at a camp in New Hampshire.
There's a wonderful music store near there, Vintage Frets.
Stopped in to see if he had something cheap and
suitable for making noise around the cabin, I buy a lttle
drum or thumb piano or ocarina from him most every year.
He had Chinese squeezeboxes, Hero but a different model
than I've seen since, very flat bellows, modern looking.
Made a satisfying sound for $20, so I bought a couple.
After two weeks' playing made the brass reeds go
horribly out of tune, I remembered hearing about this place
called The Button Box, in a town about 20 minutes from home.
Stopped by on a whim to see if they had something like
that little Chinese box only moreso.
Came home with a $125 used Hohner/Stagi anglo,
and couldn't out it down.
Went through a wierd 24 button Suttner and a 30 button Stagi,
turned left and here I am, 7 months after that Chinese box,
with two beautiful Lachenal McCanns, a very happy man.
Dan Richardson
Lachenal #2811 McCann 46 and Edeophone #4083 McCann 60
modified 20 button Hohner C/G anglo
Araldo "Double Organ" 3 reeds per 20 button C/G anglo
nameless 10 button 1 chord E flutina and Pomawka 15 button C garmon
srbarete
Show with my grandmother each week and Stan Boreson each afternoon. My
first accordion was a pretend one- a wooden stool! I ran around the house
and the neighborhood prentending to play just like Myron Floren and was so
enthralled with the pretend accordion that my mother had to find me a
"real" one - it was red with 4 basses and about an octave in the treble
side. Lessons began at 6 years of age on a 12 bass with Bill Ossinger,
husband of Nina Hart Ossinger. After a short time I began studies and
accordion band with Nina. As an aside, two summers ago I had the distinct
pleasure of playing on-stage with Myron Floren!! Whoever would'a thunk way
back when?!
Lynda Griffith,
Certified Accordion Family Instrument Repair Technician
and member of
Accordion Concertina Music Ensemble
Minnesota
SteveW5758
music lessons. My brother and I weren't interested. The
shrewd guy said the girl down the street was taking lessons.
Who??? Nancy! We both decided that we were interested
in music. My brother chose the guitar. But I choose the
accordian... you know the small rectangular thing you blow
with your mouth and can keep in your hip pocket. We were
going to rent the accordian which puzzled me because the
thing couldn't cost more than a couple of bucks. It wasn't until
I got to the studio when the teacher pointed to a 12 bass sitting
on the floor that I realized the difference between an
accordian and harmonica. Well after all one spelling sort of
looks looks like the other backwards. I must be a bit dyslexic.
Today I play Bulgarian, Macedonian, etc. music. Great stuff.
I wonder what ever become of Nancy? Doens't matter. The
accordian is my true love.
Jerry DeSanto
his accordion and was simply mesmerized by the sound. The very first time I
heard it I wanted to learn to play. For two years I hounded dad for
lessons. At the age of 6 he gave in and took me to a studio. The teacher
looked at me and saw another youngster who had a fad for the accordion.
This is in 1957.
10 years later the same teacher was coming to my house to give private
lessons. He was to stay for 30 minutes but stayed for 60. (Needless to
say, at the time I did not appreciate this extra treatment. I wanted to go
out and play ball, etc) After 5 or six years of lessons I expressed a
desire to quit taking lessons. I had had enough. But.......the wisdom of
my father prevailed. He would not allow this. (A decision which was
painful at the time but one I have continued to benefit from.) While my
interests began to drift away, my love of the accordion and its sound never
diminished. It was those dang blasted lessons which were a pain in the a**.
Not allowing me to quit was one of my fathers wisest decisions. I have
never, ever, regretted the pain and suffering of practice. (I have come to
learn that without Struggle there is no learning). Once in learning the Gay
Ranchero I was struggling on an arpeggio. Just couldn't get it right. My
father's philosophy was that "practice makes perfect....and there is no such
thing as perfection.....so it's practice, practice, practice." He had me
work this arpeggio for 3 Hours straight. Cruel???? I thought so at the
time. BUT.......... I play it with ease today and think of him each and
every time I play it. (Daily)
At age 16, other things began to take up my time and I finally stopped the
lessons. I remember my last lesson. My parents forced ME to inform my
teacher of ten years that I would no longer be taking lessons. I have
regretted that day all my life.
Today I play for my own pleasure and love the sound as I did at the age of
4. The accordion is simply part of me, the person. It has gotten my
through some tough times. Therapy for me. Now at the age of 48, I am
trying to catch up on many lost years. The sound is better than ever. I
have treated myself to the purchase of a new accordion. To arrive this
summer. Its been 31 years since my last new PA accordion. I have put the
wife and kids on notice......This is the year of Dad and His accordion.
That's my saga.
Jerry
Crs smitty
rythym bands I don't think I even knew when to hit the sticks together right
and in second grade singing I was told to just mouth the words (couldn't carry
a tune) But I heard my dad play accordion and violin and my aunt play piano
many times and I got into accordion for the love of *music* ! Accordion was
just one instrument that didn't need accompaniment so it was a perfect
instrument to learn music on! My parents saw to it that I got lessons from a
music teacher who played both violin and accordion like my father did! In high
school I quit playing accordion following that dumb thing called "peer"
pressure, and took up guitar and woodwind instruments (well flute anyway
because they were cheap and I wasn't of rich parents) I played drums in a rock
and roll band for a bit! After I got married I played the stereo phonograph
and radios for a few years until I heard accordion music again and now beyond
that "peer" group thing and admiring the Marlboro man who "took a different
path" I took out the accordion again and never again put it away. I kept
accumulating accordions and other musical instruments as well until I have
filled my house! Accordions and button accordions in particular became my
favorite and I leaned towards European music because they used accordions
unashamedly! The involvement in this quest for music has led me all over the
US and to Eastern Europe three times so far in my almost 60 years now! My
career was as an accountant and I am now retired early by choice and pursuing
the music full-time. It has really become a reason to get up next day and I
absolutely love it! It matters not whether others like it as I have to answer
to no one but my wife who does still work! We go to all polkafests that are
out West and dance the polkas and waltzes like my folks used to! Music came
first with me! Then came the accordion - the perfect solo instrument!
a short bio of the Montana squeezer!
Ron Smith
Ted Samsel
and then I taught myself guitar, mandolin & banjo, In the early '60s,
I was in high school and played in folk groups, once losing a mall
talent show to Monkee-to-be, Michael Nesmith. I went electric around
this time, playing guitar, bass & mandolin in several bands around
Austin, Texas. I picked up a $50 48-bass PA while doing archaeological
work in S Texas (I grew up down there, BTW) and started fooling around
with Tex-Mex style stuff.
My ex-wife made me get rid of all my electric axes and I didn't play
much. After the divorce ('78) I picked up the accordion again and
started playing with a string old-timey band in Austin. I've managed to
get rid of the old 48 bass and now have a 3-row Brazilian Hohner
Corona knock-off, a small PA & a 1-row Hohner poker work that I
picked up in Castroville, Texas fro $35 back in the early '80s.
I'm in Richmond, VA now where there is a dearth of Tex-Mex & cajun
music. I've palyed in a couple bands over the years and sit in
from time to time with bands and go to fairly regular picking
sessions with geezers from my own demographic. Am currently
attempting to get a cajun style band together, with my 14 year
old boy on electric bass, but having a day job and other responsibilities
often precludes progress on this.
--
Ted Samsel....tejas@infi.net (or tbsa...@richmond.infi.net)
"do the boogie woogie in the South American way"
Rhumba Boogie- Hank Snow (1955)
Mike Maddux
says...
>
> Then came the accordion - the perfect solo instrument!
>
I'm just curious, since I play piano accordion, while you seem to play both
piano accordion and diatonic. Do you think that the diatonic accordion is a
good solo instrument?
Mike
Crs smitty
Absolutely - the diatonic instrument is a better solo instrument when
performing for others than any piano box unless it has electronic bass -
especially the heligonka or helikon variety. When I play I can drive the
rythym for dancing with the helikon basses on the button box but with piano box
I at least need amplification. When playing for yourself either is an
acceptable solo instrument because you don't have to imagine that accompaniment
- it's with you on the left hand!
Nevertheless I play along with records a lot - that's why I only like the
tunable variety of turntable!
Ron Smith, Montana squeezer